I got a chance to speak with director Brett Sullivan recently, where he revealed various interesting details on the film; from the sudden title change to the mysterious chair itself. He also reveals details on his next project "Denise's Back". Check it out:

NOTE: This interview has been re-posted in its original format.

CONDUCTED BY: FrighT MasteR
EDITED BY: FrighT MasteR
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON: May 6th 2006

First off, I have to ask; why the change from Hush to The Chair? (awesome tagline by the way: "sit down and shut up")

The need for a change became apparent when we discovered a TV movie in 2005 was entitled HUSH starring Tori Spelling. We didn't want any confusion between the two projects. Also, we thought 'HUSH' was soft and not descriptive of the tone of our movie. We decided to give our film a more haunting title whilst remaining true to our intentions of making a film with the Asian influence. Hence we decided on "THE CHAIR" which I think reflects as similar vibe as other Asian horrors...(THE RING, THE EYE, THE GRUDGE, THE AKEELAH AND THE BEE... etc) And a 'chair' does play heavily in the story. Of course many people like HUSH still, and we do as well, but we like THE CHAIR better. On my blog, for April Fools, I said we had changed the title to "CREAK". I was just kidding, but many people didn't catch on the April Fools gag and actually like the title. Overall, titles are hard.... You can't please everyone.

In your opinion, what kind of movie is this and how do you think it'll sit well (haha!) with today's audience? Are we in for a lot of scares, or will the movie make us think more than squeal?

Nice pun.... 'sit well'. It's a total departure to the Hollywood Horrors of late. By no means is it an action film. I intended, from the inception, for the film to have a dark, dreadful, heavy tone. Impending danger and horror is always present. There is a constant sense of doom. We wanted to make a very moody, creepy film. Of course there are killings and gruesome disgusting moments, but overall, it's about building tension. We had a smaller cast and of course a smaller budget than most films, so we had to be inventive and creative as we couldn't 'out special effects' the bigger budget films. They are some generally creepy and disturbing moments. I think the lower budget forced me to get inventive. So instead of special effects, we relied on many in camera techniques and gags. The crew worked their asses off on these 'gags'. Some shots had about a dozen people off camera actively involved in the choreography to pull these sequences off. We have had VERY experienced special effects people pondering the mechanics a few of these 'tricks'. With some of these complicated shots, we took well over 20 takes to perfect them. A real challenge for the crew but we all ate it up working synchronized as a team.

What was it like to actually shoot in your own home?

Shooting in my house gave me mixed feelings. On one hand the commute to and from set was a breeze. On the other, it is weird to go to be, and to wake up and have people in your house. And I couldn't go to bed until everything for the next day was discussed. I would wake up, basically on set as my bedroom was also in use, and there would people already milling about. So think of 40 people in your house everyday for 4 weeks... The house kinda got 'abused' not only from the crew but from the art department that went thru the entire house painting and distressing every surface. SO the house looked more rundown than it actually was. Only know, 6 months after shooting is it getting fixed and repainted. At the time though, I was pulling out my hair. Everyday there was some other damage... Coke spilled on rug, hole in ceiling, things missing etc. Basically I was hosting a party for four weeks. In retrospect, I would do it again.... IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE that will live in memory filed under 'happy times'.

Without giving anything away, can you tell us what's so special about this creepy-lookin' chair?

THE CHAIR is used by some of the characters as a unique torture device. It is manipulated and engineered from common household elements. We told the maker/designer what we wanted and it's purpose and asked him to make it happen out of common ingredients. So Adam Smith, who built other such props and devices for films like SAW II, SKINWALKERS, LAND of the DEAD, RESIDENT EVIL II etc, took the task and exceeded our expectations. He built this contraption, that ACTUALLY worked. It wasn't just for show, but it did show great. Now I have this evil, ominous apparatus in my TV area. I sometimes strap myself in, bring myself to near unconsciousness, and try to imagine my ultimate victory over the EVIL kites of the world.

How was it working with a cast that has primarily only done theatre work and is now making their feature debut?

The cast was so eager. The entire crew was great. Everybody WANTED to be on set. Although I said the movie itself was über-somber, the atmosphere on set was quite light. We had a hat day, where everyone wore a silly hat. There were moments when the entire crew broke into uniform song. I recall many versions of Bohemian Rhapsody being belted out. AS for the cast themselves, they were all very brave and professional. Shooting in my house didn't allow for many luxuries and/or privacy. Every room was crammed with stuff; equipment, Hair/Make-up, costume, craft service.... When we shot, we were constantly moving other things around. It was a logistical nightmare. So the cast had no proper prep area. But Lauren and Alanna, worked practically everyday for the four weeks... Long days too. But the two were committed and their performances are wonderful. Those two girls, I mean ladies, put up with so much crap, but didn't let that affect their performances. And ultimately, we knew the movie succeeds or fails with their roles. They stepped up and hit it out of the park. Oh, and besides them bringing their characters to life... They are both HOT. That doesn't hurt.

You've mentioned in the past that you wanted the movie to have the same style and atmosphere of these recent Asian horror films; can you elaborate or give us an example of a specific scene that carried on that style?

Well for instance, THE RING, at its core, it's about the lead character trying to stop her sons death in 7 days. Nothing terrible really happens to her and her son, but the threat is definitely there and the tension is thick as there are signs of nastiness to come. Plenty of scary images. It's not about a high body count, it's about building the suspense and the tension. Will she be able to solve the video and break the curse, ultimately saving her son? So after the initial teaser where the first victims die, it’s about the stressful waiting game for the next victim. The audience gets to know the protagonist, her situation and her life. It about, Rachel (in the ENGLISH version) dealing with the sinister curse and investigating its gruesome origins. The movie builds her character. Unlike many N. American horrors, that are about the body count and the creative and disgusting ways the count rises. So with the CHAIR, we set out to build characters and make the settings creepy. We wanted to create this feeling of dread. It's funny, as I am writing this, I am realizing that the RING and THE CHAIR are very similar at the core. The bare essence of the stories have kindred kernels of concepts. I never noticed that until now. And previous to answering this question, I didn't even think I would use THE RING as an example. WOW.... Weird. I guess you will have to see THE CHAIR to know what I mean. And of course, I also enjoy the uniqueness of the morbid imagery in the Asian horrors. Little cat boy in THE GRUDGE, the girl from the well in THE RING etc. These are the images that haunt you well after the film is over.

So, what's the status of the film right now?

We took our time picture editing until the first of April. We wanted to ensure that it was at its best. So now, we are nearing the sound mix. The incomparable Kurt Swinghammer is cooking up a wicked score. The top notch sound crew at Tattersall Sound and Picture are working on the dialogue and effects. C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures is one of Canada's leading digital visual effects and animation studios and for the limited visual effects we have, they are kicking ass and taking numbers.

As for THE CHAIRS RELEASE, my partners at PANIC PICTURES and I had a theory; wouldn't it be better to approach distributors/buyers with finished film to buy than with a script to buy. We thought that way, they would know exactly what their money is getting them, not what it MIGHT get them. So as of now, we have NO broadcasters/distribution. Not because people don't want it, but we are not ready to show it. You only get ONE chance at a first impression. I initial viewing to be of the finished film. We are very proud of it and want to make sure the film gets the proper distribution. So once it is finished near the end of MAY, all the people that have been asking for it, can see it. Then we will see what happens. This part is all new to me, so I really don't know what to expect. It is a large pool with dolphins and sharks, and we're having a hard time figuring out which is which. That was a terrible analogy. But you get the idea. Eventually, we hope the THE CHAIR will make enough to pay for itself and then help finance our next twisted Panic Pictures project called "DENISE'S BACK". A extremely wicked, and humorous story that I am HIGHLY excited about shooting this fall. It will definitely be an outside the box/push the envelope movie experience.

Tell me more about your next project "Denise's Back".

Well, the next one "DENISE'S BACK" is going to be VERY different from "THE CHAIR". As I mentioned, THE CHAIR was very somber. DENISE'S BACK will be very twisted indeed but full of very dark humor... pitch black humor. The story begins when BOO, a perverse 15 year old boy, discovers his incarcerated, psycho, older sister, DENISE, is being released from her rehabilitation centre, where she was being held for a crime that is so twisted, she is infamous. So disgusting is the crime, she has become a pseudo celebrity. Boo's sorry life changes in many ways once the locals realize that the psycho bitch Denise is back. People begin to treat Boo with new found respect as they fear the wrath of Denise. But from the moment she is released, people begin to turn up dead. Not wanting to lose his sister again, Boo struggles prove Denise's innocence.

Care to share any last words for the readers?

Sure... I try to keep my blog up to date... I regularly discuss what's going on with THE CHAIR, good and bad, there. As well, I go on small rants and I'd be happy to answer any question or comment on any query posted from the site. The question can be about THE CHAIR, THE GINGER SNAPS TRILOGY or my ultimate fear of kites. Whatever. The blog can be reached from visiting www.thechairfilm.com and click on the link for my blog.